Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K15/00—Collapsible or foldable cycles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K15/00—Collapsible or foldable cycles
  • B62K2015/001—Frames adapted to be easily dismantled

Definitions

• the following invention relates generally to bicycles which have frames dividable and recombinable through a coupling and a method and apparatus for storing such a bicycle. More specifically, this invention relates to a bicycle frame tube coupling which rigidly joins pieces of the frame or any two portions of a shaft together, and a method of dividing the frame which facilitates storing of the entire bicycle in a case which complies with size requirements of common carriers for non-oversized luggage.
• the patent to Brenner teaches a collapsible bicycle that uses standard plumbing pipe unions, adapted to fit on three places of a bicycle.
• this invention may be used in a similar fashion to Brenner, it is different in many ways, the most important of which are: first, the coupling of this invention uses a removable shoulder on a lug end, not a permanently fixed flanged end; second, this invention is for a coupling that has specialized clutch teeth cut onto engaging faces instead of flat surfaces, or a mere alignment pin; third, this invention does not involve the adaptation of three, standard, off the shelf, plumbing parts to fit a bicycle. It is for a custom made, light weight, strong, aerodynamic, torque transmitting coupling of which only two are needed to adapt a bicycle for frame subdivision.
• the removable shoulder feature of one coupling of this invention adds positive things to the coupling over the teachings of Brenner.
• it allows the nut to be installed from the front of the lug so another shoulder can be cut on the rear to keep the nut from sliding off the back and scratching the frame paint.
• Brenner teaches no such provision.
• a removable shoulder can also be easily replaced.
• the nut can as well, because it is the removable shoulder that keeps it on and not a permanently fixed flange.
• the coupling taught by Brenner would require the melting of solder or cutting to be able to remove and replace the nut if damaged, or to replace the whole coupling end if the flange were damaged.
• Use of a differential thread in an alternative embodiment of the coupling of this invention is also distinguishable from the teachings of Brenner.
• the differential thread by its nature, allows a tighter fit in the coupling teeth when the nut is tightened. It also eliminates the use of a flange on the coupling nut to draw the lug ends together.
• the specialized teeth on the couplings' engaging faces mesh together with zero backlash, resisting shock and torsional forces the frame might experience during use because of uneven terrain and pedaling motions. There will be no twisting.
• the coupling taught by Brenner will likely slip and twist because the faces of his frame tube couplings are smooth.
• the tube accepting ends of the coupling are also much improved over the teachings of Brenner.
• the lug ends of this invention taper thinner on the outer diameter towards the outside ends and are angle cut on two sides to produce points 180 degrees from each other.
• this invention adds the novelty of being able to fit a standard bicycle with standard wheels in a case that does not exceed 62 total linear inches in height, width and girth if it is installed correctly.
• One primary feature of the invention is a coupling that can join bicycle frame tubes end to end with minimal weight addition, and preserve the original geometry and stiffness of the frame. Preservation of such features is very important to avid cyclists.
• the coupling has two lugs that join together with a coupling nut and replaces a small segment of tubing cut from the original frame. Both lugs have inner faces cut with clutch teeth that interlock when the coupling nut pulls them together.
• the design is compact, light and strong.
• the frame can be divided, allowing the resulting pieces to fit in a case having dimensions acceptable for handling by airlines and other carriers without requiring additional changes or other difficulties.
• additional quick connect cable clips are installed as well, according to this invention, an entire standard bicycle can be broken down and packaged in the case of this invention.
• the case is chosen to fit the bicycle's wheel diameters and with a maximum girth while still comprising not more than 62 total linear inches of size.
• the bicycle can later be reassembled to yield a bicycle that rides exactly like the original, with no loss of the original frame geometry or stiffness, two things which are very important to avid cyclists.
• Figure 1 is a component view showing the order of placement of the individual parts of the invention with external threads, grooves, shoulders, slots, teeth, and a removable shoulder.
• Figure 2 is a view of that which is shown in figure 1 turned 90 degrees axially.
• Figure 3 is sectional view of that which is shown in figure 1 additionally showing bores, internal shoulders, tapers and threads.
• Figure 4 is an assembly view of a portion of this invention.
• Figure 5 is a sectional view of that which is shown in figure 4.
• Figure 6 is a component view of an alternative embodiment of that which is shown in figure 1 revealing a coupling utilizing a differential thread to pull two threaded lugs together.
• Figure 7 is an end view of a portion of that which is shown in figure 6.
• Figure 8 is a sectional view of that which is shown in figure 6 additionally showing bores, internal shoulders, tapers and threads.
• Figure 9 is an assembly view of the coupling shown in figure 6 utilizing the differential thread concept.
• Figure 10 is a sectional view of that which is shown in figure 9.
• Figure 11 is a view of a standard bicycle frame most typically used with the torque couplings of this invention.
• Figure 12 is a view of templates over the frame for marking the frame before cutting and placement of the couplings.
• Figure 13 is a view of the front piece of the bicycle frame from figure 12 with threaded lugs installed.
• Figure 14 is a view of the rear piece of the bicycle frame from figure 12 with removable collar lugs installed.
• Figure 15 is a perspective view of a quick connect cable clip that is used to make sheathed component cables quickly removable from the frame pieces.
• Figure 16 is a top view of a case to pack the bicycle in.
• Figure 17 is a side view of the case of figure 16.
• Figure 18 is a front view of the case of figure 16.
• Figure 19 is an elevational view of an assembled bicycle with three couplings installed (cables removed for clarity).
• Figure 20 is a view of an assembled bicycle with two couplings installed (cables removed for clarity).
• Figure 21 is a front view of a frame tube and a piece of frame tube padding prior to installation.
• Figure 22 is an end view of that which is shown in figure 21.
• Figure 23 is a front view of a piece of frame tube padding installed on a frame tube.
• Figure 24 is an end view of that which is shown in figure 23.
• Figure 25 is a view of a bicycle, fitted with two torque couplings with seat, handlebars, pedals, rear derailleur, and wheels off (cables and chain removed for clarity).
• Figure 26 reveals that which is shown in figure 25 but with frame pieces separated at the couplings.
• Figures 27 through 32 are sequential views of a case interior with various components being placed therein in sequence.
• Figures 33 through 35 are sequential views of an alternative embodiment of that which is shown in figures 27 through 32 following that which is shown in figure 29 with figure 33 showing the front frame piece on the wheel with the brake unit up and the fork tips in the lowest corner; figure 34 showing a successive step following that which is shown in figure 33 with the rear frame section, chain ring down, over the front section with the rear drop outs in the lowest corner with the fork tips extending in between the chain stays, the brake calipers in between the seat stays and the seat tube; figure 35 showing a successive step following figure 34 with the front wheel put on top and with the crank arm and brake hoods through its spokes.
• Figures 36 and 37 reveal an alternative embodiment of that which is shown in figures 27 through 32 following that which is shown in figure 30, figure 36 showing the front section of the frame on top of the rear section of the frame with fork tips in the highest corner, one fork going through the spokes of the lower wheel, the other fork going over the handle bar, and the head-tube near the seat- tube lug, the top tube of the front section runs down along the seat-stay of the rear section, and the down tube of the front section runs along the seat tube of the rear section of the frame; figure 37 showing a successive step following that which is shown in figure 36 with the front wheel on top and with the crank arm through the spokes.
• the system includes a coupling (50) for dividing a frame (60) of the bicycle into separate pieces (A, B) and a case (100) for storing and containing the individual parts of the bicycle.
• the coupling (50) includes a threaded lug (2), a removable-shoulder lug (9), a coupling nut (5) and a removable shoulder (4) with a groove (8) providing one form of a means to attach the shoulder (4) onto the removable shoulder lug (9).
• the lugs (2, 9) are bored to fit over ends (1, 11) of a frame tube up to inner shoulders (14,
• the teeth (3, 7) on both lugs (2, 9) are identical and are radially oriented with tapered side surfaces (34), top surfaces (32) and bottom gap surfaces (36).
• Each tooth (3, 7) is angled from vertical with an outer extent of the top surface (32) closer to the opposite lug (9, 2) than an inner extent of the bottom surface (36).
• Each bottom surface (36) is angled from vertical with an inner extent of the bottom surface (36) closer to the opposite lug (9, 2) than an outer extent of the bottom surface (36).
• the effect is to produce tooth tops (32) and gap bottoms (36), that are essentially rectangular in nature, roughly the same size, and approximately parallel to one another.
• This gap (38) configuration facilitates manufacture in that the gap (38) exhibits an easily
• the bottom surface (36) is angled approximately 30 degrees from vertical.
• the top surface (32) is angled approximately 30 degrees from vertical.
• the side surfaces (34) exhibit an approximately equilateral triangular form.
• the teeth /gap arrangement produces teeth (3, 7) that allow full contact on all sides when meshed together. Truncation of such teeth (3, 7) at a tip (40) at an outer extent of the top surfaces (32) further prevents the teeth (3, 7) from bottoming out in the mating gaps (38) of the opposing lug (9, 2), eliminating all backlash when the coupling nut (5) is tightened. Backlash is also prevented by the taper of the teeth (3, 7). An angle of taper of the teeth is selected to provide the teeth (3, 7) with high resistance to torque and yet ease of intermeshing. The truncated tip (40) also facilitates future tightening to compensate for potential wear through repeated use. Many common manufacturing methods can be utilized to create the clutch teeth (3,
• One method which has proven successful involves turning the lugs (2, 9) on a lathe and then machining the teeth (3, 7) with an appropriate tool.
• the tube accepting ends of the lugs (2, 9) have angles (12, 13) cut to form two points 180 degrees opposite each other, and the lugs' outer diameters taper to cause the lugs (2, 9) to be thinner approaching those points.
• the coupling parts (2, 4, 5, 9) should be made from materials that will be as strong as the frame tubes (1, 11) when machined to the desired thickness and that will allow attachment of the coupling (50) by some means compatible with both materials, such as brazing, silver brazing, welding, adhesive bonding, etc., so the combination of tubes (1, 11) and couplings (50) will transmit all normal forces acting on the bicycle frame (60) without failure.
• materials such as brazing, silver brazing, welding, adhesive bonding, etc.
• a differential thread torque coupling (250) is shown.
• the differential coupling (250) of this invention is much like the above description of the coupling (50) except that there is no removable shoulder (4), the smaller outer diameter lug (259) replaces the removable shoulder lug (9) and has no groove (8) in it, and the coupling nut (255) is cut with two different thread pitches to match those of the two lugs (252, 259), eliminating the shoulder that the retaining ring (4) is butted up against in the preferred embodiment.
• a larger outer diameter lug (252) and a smaller outer diameter lug (259) are provided. Both lugs (252, 259) include threads (262, 264) on the outer surface.
• the smaller diameter lug (259) preferably has threads (264) which are more fine than the threads (262) of the larger diameter lug (252).
• the nut (255) has threads (272, 274) on its inner surface (270).
• the inner surface (270) includes a lesser diameter portion (276) and a greater diameter portion (278).
• the greater diameter portion (278) supports threads (272) of similar pitch to the threads (262) of the larger diameter lug (252).
• the lesser diameter portion (276) supports threads (274) of similar pitch to the threads (264) of the smaller diameter lug (259).
• a nut shoulder (277) separates the two portions (276, 278) of the inner surface (270).
• the shoulder (277) prevents the larger diameter lug (252) from damaging the threads (274).
• a lug shoulder (258) is located on the smaller diameter lug (259) and prevents the nut (255) from traveling off of the smaller diameter lug (259) and onto the tube (11). When the nut (255) is tightened, the nut (255) moves onto the larger diameter lug (252) faster than it moves off of the smaller diameter lug (259), thus compressing the lugs (252, 259) together.
• FIG. 11 details of a process to determine the size of a case (100) needed for packaging a bicycle for travel that does not exceed the 62 inch total linear dimension limit typical of U.S. and international airlines is shown.
• This process determines what pieces a bicycle will need to be divided into to fit within such a case (100) including precise division of the frame (60) as well as additional case (100) features that will make a case (100) more versatile, and a method of packing the bicycle pieces so that all of the bicycle will safely fit in the case (100).
• first one has to determine exactly what dimensions the chosen case (100) can have.
• wheels (62, 63) of the bicycle do not normally break down, a case (100) for a whole bicycle has to be large enough to include the wheel's heights and widths with room for other bicycle pieces somewhere in between.
• Many standard wheels measure 25-1/2" on their outer diameters and total 9-
• case (100) sizes such as 26" X 26" X 10" and 25-3/4" X 25-3/4" X 10-1/2" and whose total height, width and girth measurements equal the 62" maximum are possible (see figures 16-18).
• other case (100) sizes are also possible.
• a slightly larger wheel (62, 63) would make the case (100) larger in height and width, and thinner in girth.
• a smaller wheel (62, 63) would allow the opposite so long as the size of the pieces (A, B) the frame (60) can be divided into is considered.
• a standard bicycle's wheel size does not vary so greatly as to make a noticeable difference in the way a bicycle's frame pieces (A, B) and wheels (62, 63) can be divided and packaged in a case. The remainder of the bicycle parts, removed from the frame (60), fit in between the wheels (62, 63) and frame pieces (A, B) in a properly proportioned 62 inch total linear dimension case.
• a standard bicycle generally is a bicycle having a frame composed of individual tubes and fairly standard "700C" wheels such as that shown in figure 19. "700C" wheels have an approximately 26 inch diameter when a tire thereon is deflated. Other common names for such a bicycle are “racing” or “touring” bicycles. "Mountain bikes” having wider wheels of similar diameter and modified handlebars are also contemplated as within the definition of a standard bicycle. While frame sizes vary, the wheels are sized fairly standard at approximately 26 inches in diameter.
• the couplings (50, 250) make it possible to break the frame (60) down into smaller pieces (A, B) for packing, and then reassemble the pieces (A, B), putting various standard components (80) of the bicycle back on the frame (60), to produce a bicycle that rides exactly like the original.
• a front piece (A) would likely include a head tube (29) of the frame (60) and a rear piece (B) would likely include a bottom bracket (30) of the frame (60).
• Precise location of the couplings (50, 250) allows the frame (60) to be divided into as few pieces as possible that will still fit inside the case (100).
• these templates (T) must be adjusted on the front and rear anticipated sections of the bicycle until each component (80) that cannot or will not be removed for packing the bicycle in a case (100) is totally within the area defined by at least one template (T) (see figure 12).
• This can include, but is not limited to: (inside the dotted area on the left in figure 12) the top of the head-set (20) the tip of the forward fork (18), and (inside the dotted area on the right in figure 12), the entire seat tube (22), the lowest tip of the rear wheel drop out (23) where the derailleur connects, and the crank set assembly (24).
• the overlapping areas (19, 21) of the templates (T) on the top tube (96) and down tubes (98) in figure 12 identify where the templates (T) overlap on those tubes (96, 98). This is where the couplings (50, 250) are to be inserted and where the center lines of the couplings (50, 250) must be after installation.
• area (21) is very small and requires exact placement of the couplings (50, 250), while area (19) is quite large and will allow for much adjustment in the placement of the couplings (50, 250).
• Figures 13 and 14 show the couplings (50, 250) installed within the overlapping areas (19, 21). In this example, the threaded lugs (2) are in figure 13, and the removable shoulder lugs are in figure 14. Again, note the position of the coupling (50) center lines within the overlapping areas (19, 21) of the templates (T).
• tubing (1, 11) that will be replaced by the coupling (50, 250), from inner shoulder (14) to inner shoulder (17) (figure 3) of the lugs (2 and 9) (figure 1) should be cut out, keeping in mind positions of previously brazed on lugs, cable guides, etc. that may interfere with the couplings.
• New tubes (1, 11) can also be utilized to replace the previous tubes (96, 98).
• the frame (60) is marked within the overlap area and an appropriate portion of the tube (96, 98) is removed to preserve the original frame geometry. If the mark is too close to an obstruction on the tube (1, 11) it should be moved to have 2 inches of clearance. Repositioning or replacing some of these parts may be necessary.
• methods of securing the lugs (2, 9) to the frame vary, depending on the material the lugs (2, 9) and frame (60) are made of. In one case, when the couplings (50) are made from stainless steel the couplings (50) can be, silver brazed on to carbon steel frame tubes (1, 11). Use of good frame building techniques is preferred in the installation of torque couplings (50, 250) on a bicycle frame (60).
• each coupling nut (5) is slid onto its mating removable-shoulder lug (9) until the removable shoulder (4) can be put on.
• retaining rings in a groove (8) have been used with success, but the removable shoulder (4) could be one of many configurations with multiple attachment methods, such as threading, set screws, slots, pins, etc.
• the removable shoulder (4) functions with the coupling nut (5) to pull frame pieces (A, B) together.
• a tapered shoulder (10) is located on the removable lug (9) to meet a tapered shoulder (16) in the coupling nut (5). This prevents the nut (5), when unscrewed, from falling off the back side of the lug (9) and scratching the frame paint.
• the nut (5) and the removable shoulder (4) are also easily replaceable if they get damaged.
• the coupling nut (5) threads onto the threaded lug (2) and pulls the removable-shoulder lug (9) axially by shoulder (15) of the coupling nut (5) engaging the removable shoulder (4). This interlocks the clutch teeth (3, 7).
• a force transmitting union equal in strength or greater than that of the original tube (96, 98), is formed. If the coupling's teeth (3, 7) do wear, further tightening of the coupling nut (5) will take up any backlash with a negligible change in the frame tube (96, 98) length.
• the coupling nut (255) begins totally screwed onto the fine threaded lug (255).
• the tapered teeth (3, 7) of the course threaded lug and of the fine threaded lug (259) are firmly meshed together.
• the nut (255) is started onto the course threaded lug (252). It threads onto that lug (252) faster than it threads off of the fine threaded lug (259), thus pulling the two lugs (252, 259) together. Tightening with a spanner wrench will, as before, form a tube union with strength equal to or greater than the original tube (96, 98).
• a quick connectable clip (74) can be used to handle this problem.
• the quick connect cable clip (74) (figure 15) allows restrictive sheathed cables to be removed from the frame tubes (96, 98) and put back again quickly without tools that would be needed to loosen straps, clips, or remove cables from components (80) or levers (78) on one end so the sheaths can be pulled through the brazed-on cable guide loops on the frame (60). Once the cable sheaths are in the clip (74), they will not come out on their own.
• Quick connect cable clips (74) are to be silver brazed to bicycle tubes (96, 98) that sheathed cables run along from the actuating levers (78) to the components (80). They are made so that a sheathed cable can be inserted in or taken out easily, but not fall out on its own during regular bicycle use. They have bases (82) and sides (84) whose inner dimensions just exceed the outer diameter of typical component cable sheaths. The sides are actually fingers (86) that go up and curve in on the top (87) to be over the cable sheath when it is inside the clip (74). The fingers (86) alternate from side to side with enough space in between them for the sheath to fit in and around the fingers (86).
• the sheathed cable is to be hooked around and under one of the outside fingers (86), bent slightly to fit under and around the center finger (86), and bent again to fit under and past the last finger (86). It can then be stretched straight and will not fall out of the clip (74).
• These clips (74) are to replace the normal screw together, snap together, or complete loop cable guides that require tools to remove the restrictive sheathed cables from them and thus the frame tubes (96, 98) to get the needed flexibility for packaging a broken down bicycle without the use of tools to free the cables from the frame (60).
• Three clips (74) in a row gives the best guidance for the cable sheaths.
• the nuts (88) and skewers (89) must be removed because they make the wheels (62, 63) too wide to safely fit in the case (100). If conditions dictate, the chain ring (28), crank arms (26) and the front forks (18) can also be removed. However, it is often the case that if all of the frame (60) (fork (18) and crank set (24) included) can be fit inside two templates (T) the size of the case (100), the bicycle will fit in the case (100) without removing those parts.
• Figures 25 through 37 show a method for disassembling a bicycle that is fitted with two couplings (50, 250), into pieces (A, B). Once a bicycle has been divided and disassembled, any order can be used to package the frame pieces (A, B) and wheels (62, 63) so long as they are parallel to the two square surfaces (150, 160). Figures 27 through 32 are believed to show the preferred way to package the frame pieces (A, B) and wheels (62, 63) of a bicycle fitted with two torque couplings (50, 250) without disconnecting any of the cables from their respective components (80) because it leaves larger empty spaces for other bicycle parts to be fit in.
• the first step is to lay the rear wheel (63), cog (65) down, in the case (100) as shown in figures 27 through 29 (note that the handlebars (70) and seat (66) are only put in the case in these positions as they fit here best for this and a few other methods of packing).
• the rear section (B) of the frame (60) is laid on the rear wheel (63) with the rear drop outs (23) (figure 30) in one corner and tilt the wheel (63) and frame piece (B) down toward that corner so the stays (90) and dropouts (23) will all fit in the case (100).
• the front section (A) of the bicycle frame (60) is laid on top of the rear section (B) of the frame (60) with the same top to bottom orientation and a reverse front to back orientation from the orientation of the rear section (B) (figure 31).
• the fork tips (18a) are turned down and put between the chain stays (90).
• the brake calipers are located between the seat tube (22) and the seat stay (91).
• the remainder of the bicycle parts are fit in the available spaces (the seat (66) and handlebars (70) have already been noted).
• the front wheel (62) is placed on top (figure 32).
• Figures 33 through 37 show additional methods of packaging the bicycle frame sections (A, B), wheels (62, 63) and other parts.
• these examples are not intended to be an exhaustive list of the ways to package a bicycle fitted with torque couplings (50, 250) that is divided up into pieces.
• the derailleur levers (78) By loosening the derailleur levers (78) from the frame tubes (96, 98), even more packaging methods are provided because the frame parts (A, B) can then be put on either side of the wheels (62, 63), or both and all places in between so long as the parts do not stack too high to be accommodated by the girth of the chosen case (100).
• padding (230) around the tubes (96, 98) protects the frame tubes (96, 98) from abrasion and scratching (figures 21 through 24).
• Other accessories to be protected can be similarly surrounded with padding
• the padding (230) thus includes cloth (231) having a length (236) similar to a length of tube (96, 98) to be covered and a width (238) slightly greater than a circumference of the tubes (96, 98).
• the closure (234) is located along a long edge (239) of the cloth (231).
• the padding (230) forms a sleeve surrounding the tubes (96, 98).
• One case (100) (figures 16 through 18) that adequately packages the bicycle is soft sided and lined on its face, back, top, bottom and sides with thin plastic polyethylene sheets to resist punctures and prevent direct contact with bicycle parts inside the case (100).
• the case (100) includes a first square surface (150) of approximately 26 inches in height and length and a second square surface (160) of similar shape spaced therefrom and parallel thereto.
• Four vertical side surfaces (170) surround sides of the square surfaces (150, 160).
• Two surfaces (170) are oriented perpendicular to two other surfaces (170). Edges (180) of the side surfaces are connected together at rights angles.
• FIGS. 12 and 13 show extra straps (190) that cross the zipper (200) area in two perpendicular directions to add further strength to the cases (100) holding power and support a handle (220).
• Each strap (190) includes a tethered portion (192) attached to the case (100) and two free ends (194). The free ends include connectors (196) at their extremities which connect together around the case (100).
• Figure 18 also shows three "D" rings (210) that can be used to attach straps to the case (100) so it can be carried on a bearer's back with hands free. Items in the pockets (172) protect a wearer of the case (100) on the wearer's back from having bicycle parts impact the wearer through the case (100) and cause discomfort.
• a handle (220) couples to the straps (190) and includes an inner cylinder (222) centered on one strap (190) and a centered outer wrap (224) on an adjacent strap (190) for surrounding the inner cylinder (222).
• a connector (226) such as a hook and loop type material on the outer wrap (224) allows the two straps (190) to be held together to form the handle (220). However, snaps, hooks and eyes, buttons or other connectors could also be used.
• a hard sided case can also be used with this torque coupling system. It can protect the bicycle parts from compression better than the soft sided case (100), but does not afford some of the flexibility or extra packing spaces that the soft sided case (100) exhibits. Any hard case would likely need to conform to the same size restrictions as a soft sided case (62 total inched in height, width and girth) and it would likely need small radiuses in the corners to optimize the space the bicycle parts will need to fit in.
• Another object of this invention of to provide a differential thread coupling to securely hold together frame tube portions connected to lugs of the coupling.
• a further object of this invention is to provide a coupling with teeth that are tapered and will allow compensation for wear due to hard use by bringing them closer together through tightening of the coupling nut.
• the fact that the teeth can be pressed together with zero backlash also helps to prevent the coupling from wiggling and working the coupling nut loose during hard use.
• a case for containing a disassembled bicycle comprising in combination an exterior surface formed of flexible material, the exterior surface forming a periphery of the case, means for distributing forces passing through the exterior surface, coupled to the exterior surface, and the exterior surface having two similarly sized square surfaces oriented in a parallel, spaced relationship with each other, each square surface having a height and width not less than a diameter of wheels of the bicycle.
• a coupling for detachably and reattachably uniting two tubes of a bicycle frame together along a common central axes
• the coupling comprising in combination a first lug fixedly attached to a first tube, the first lug including a means for rotatably supporting a nut, a second lug fixably attached to a second tube, the second lug including a means for rotatably supporting the nut, the nut including a means for drawing the first lug and the second lug toward each other along their common central axes, and means for resisting rotational displacement of the first lug with respect to the second lug; whereby the coupling provides a rigid union of the two tubes.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Mutual Connection Of Rods And Tubes (AREA)

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• 1993
  • 1993-09-16 US US08/122,368 patent/US5586652A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1994
  • 1994-07-12 EP EP94922120A patent/EP0723510B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1994-07-12 WO PCT/US1994/007731 patent/WO1995002534A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1994-07-12 CA CA002164962A patent/CA2164962C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1994-07-12 CN CN94192759A patent/CN1066403C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1994-07-12 JP JP50464295A patent/JP3714953B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1994-07-12 AU AU72572/94A patent/AU7257294A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1994-07-12 DE DE69432473T patent/DE69432473T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

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